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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0399.007 2024-2026KUM UKAH I - HEALTH + WELLNESS CD Board of Directors September 1, 2025 z� Lee -Ann Heely, DM President Re: SUPPORT Testimony for Bill 71 jv Q-< Nicholas VandenRaadt, DNP FNP Aloha Chair Inaba, Vice Chair Onishi, and County Councilmembers: b Vice President iV Keith Brown, MBA My name is Peter Tui Silva, and I am the CEO of Kumukahi Health + Wel Lass. Treasurer I have over 15 years of experience in overdose prevention and substance use Luahlwa Namahoe services, and I am writing today to urge you to enact Bill 71, a lifesaving Secretary measure to combat the opioid epidemic in our community. Elena Cabatu, MBA At Kumukahi Health + Wellness, we have been working across Hawaii Island Kali French, MSP to train bar, nightclub, and hotel staff on how to recognize an overdose and Emily Malate, LCSw administer Narcan. These trainings often take place after hours or on Molly O'Quinn weekends to meet businesses where they are. Most recently, we have also Marina Padilla, APRN-Rx expanded outreach to hotels, including Mauna Lan!, as word spreads about Jennifer Rabideau, BSB CNN ADCES the need for this resource. Martin Rathbun In the past year alone, in collaboration with the Hawai'i Island Fentanyl Task Force, we trained 53 bar and restaurant employees in Hilo and Kona and Chief Executive Officer distributed 158 Narcan boxes to 32 establishments in Hilo, Kona, and Peter Tulolosega Silva Waikoloa. While these are important successes, our reach has been limited. Too often, owners were unaware of what Narcan is or of the alarming rise in opiold overdoses on the island. In other cases, employees could not secure approval from management to participate. This prevented us from protecting more lives, despite keeping our trainings short —just 5 to 10 East H et, PHl'i Office 101 Aupunl Street, PH 1014C minutes —and minimal) disruptive tooperations. y p Hilo, HI 96720 Phone:808-982-8800 Bill 71 provides a clear public health response to this urgent threat. Just as Fax:808-982-8802 fire extinguishers are required to fight fires and defibrillators (AEDs) are West Hawaii Office required to save lives in cardiac emergencies, Narcan must be made 74-5620 Palani Road accessible to stop preventable overdose deaths. Suite 101 Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 Phone: 808-331-8177 This is a low-cost, high -impact policy that prioritizes human life over stigma Fax: 808-331-0762 or inconvenience. By passing Bill 71, we can choose to be a community that is prepared, compassionate, and unwavering in our commitment to protect kumukahiHEALTH.org one another. , A NEW DAY FOR H.I.H.A.F. Ref. To: Ref. Date SEP - r I strongly urge you to pass Bill 71. Mahalo for your consideration. Respectfully, qx Peter T. Silva CEO Kumukahi Health + Wellness psilva@kumukahihealth.org k KUMUKAHI HEALTH + WELLNESS 0 A NEW DAY FOR H.I.H.A.F.